That phrase, "the glory of human life," is in a sentence that has held my interest ever since I first read it years ago. The sentence is in a pamphlet called No and Yes by Mary Baker Eddy. She is discussing Christ Jesus' life—the selfless sacrifice he made to show humanity the way out of the limitations and sufferings of the flesh—and she says: "The glory of human life is in overcoming sickness, sin, and death. Jesus suffered for all mortals to bring in this glory ...." No and Yes, p. 33.
What I find so interesting is that the glory is "in overcoming." It is in the act of overcoming. It was what Jesus was doing right there in the midst of gross injustices that inspires hope in us. In the face of hatred and torture, he was being steadfast in his faithfulness to God and in his love for humanity. It was through his active, unrelenting faithfulness and love that he was overcoming sin and suffering and death. He was being what God made man to be: His very own dignified, whole, and upright expression. There is glory in that! And we can participate in that glory, right in the midst of whatever it is we face, be it of minor or major concern. And through this participation—through our own faithfulness to God and love for humanity—we, too, will overcome whatever would mock God and God's expression, man. The law of God predestines this result.
God is our creator. He is infinite Spirit. He created us in His image and likeness. Therefore, the only glory we could possibly have is in glorifying God by being His spiritual reflection, faithfully expressing His love and all-power in overcoming whatever would deny His allness. We really can't be or do anything less, because God alone governs His creation. It is our true nature to "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name." Ps. 29:2.
